Judge Stout was appointed to the bench in 1997 and currently serves as the presiding judge of the Superior Court of Inyo County. Since his appointment to the bench, Judge Stout has been a key member on a number of Judicial Council committees and task forces, including the Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care, California Tribal Court/State Court Forum, Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee, Trial Court Budget Working Group, CJER Rural Courts Education Committee, and the Domestic Violence Practice and Procedures Task Force. Judge Stout also served as co-chair of the Judicial Council's Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee.

LIAISON Reports

As part of the Judicial Council’s efforts to increase communication and transparency and promote accountability, council members serve as liaisons to the 58 trial courts and to the major service units of the Judicial Council staff. Members with updates present their reports at Judicial Council meetings, bringing fresh perspectives on the issues and challenges facing the judicial branch.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court liaison report by Judge Dean StoutAug 26, 2014Judge Stout met with the judicial officers and the court executive of the Santa Barbara court and learned how reductions in staff (26%) and the pending closure of the Solvang courthouse is straining the court. In addition, budget setbacks over the years has forced the court to reduce services to the public and reduce clerk’s office hours, delaying case processing and proceedings. The historic courthouse features no perimeter security, inmates escorted to courtrooms via public hallways

Kern County Superior Court liaison report by Judge Dean StoutApr 29, 2014Judge Stout reports on is March visit to the court. He details the court's geographical challenges delivering access to justice over an 8,000-square-mile area to almost one million people. The ability to attract qualified judicial candidates was also reported as a big concern. The court operates with six vacant judgeships.